Timekeeper

My grandfather’s watch—

not a tick for fifty years,

yet my heart keeps time.

Out

enchanted forest—

following a trail of crumbs

to find the way out

a wayside beggar

sniffing paradise in crumbs

tossed into her bowl

Rasping from the fence,

a solitary raven

drowns out all the bells.

a broken dreamer

finding no consolation

at the wishing well

In another voice,

unknown to the thunderheads,

the rain lashes out.

a solar lantern

placed upon the soldier’s grave

keeping watch by night

two kindred spirits

journeying on together—

rainbow and raven

a drunken donkey

staggering through the feed store

hoping for some oats

In the streams of night

ten thousand wondrous stories

tell themselves again.